Sumy court revokes dismissal of case against Metropolitan Yevlogiy

Metropolitan Yevlogiy in court. Photo: Suspilne Sumy

On August 28, 2024, the Sumy Court of Appeals overturned the decision of the Zarichny District Court to close the criminal case against the head of the Sumy Eparchy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, Metropolitan Yevlogiy, following an appeal by the Sumy Regional Prosecutor's Office.

According to Sumy Today, the Metropolitan is accused of violating citizens' equality based on their religious beliefs (under Part 1 of Article 161 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine), allegedly through statements made during sermons criticizing the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).

It should be noted that the prosecution completed the pre-trial investigation and submitted the indictment to the court. However, the defendant's lawyer filed a motion to dismiss the case, citing alleged violations in the notification deadlines regarding the conclusion of the investigation and the review of the case materials.

On May 10, 2024, the Zarichny District Court of Sumy dismissed the criminal case, but the prosecutor's office filed an appeal, disagreeing with this decision. After reviewing the prosecution's arguments, the Sumy Court of Appeals decided to reopen the case.

A new hearing in the court of first instance has been scheduled with a different panel of judges.

As reported by the UOJ, the charges against Metropolitan Yevlogiy are based on his statement during a sermon about the "non-recognition of apostolic succession in the OCU by the Polish and Albanian Churches".

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